High-current motor-drive ICs for both brushed DC and bipolar stepper motors
Date: 03/11/2023
Industrial semiconductor expert STMicroelectronics launched its first two STSPIN9 devices as part its new high-current motor-drive series, specifically designed for high-end industrial applications as well as home and professional appliances.
With PWM control logic and a 58V power stage, the 4.5A STSPIN948 and 5.0A STSPIN958 are ideal for driving brushed DC motors and bipolar stepper motors. These ICs also have system protection and two operational amplifiers for current sensing. They simplify the bill of materials while providing flexibility and scalability.
With the STSPIN948 IC, developers have the flexibility to drive multiple motors with different ratings and configurations. The IC features two full bridges that can be configured to work in various modes and offers five different modes of operation, including current control based on PWM with fixed off-time or a programmable threshold. The IC has a maximum current rating of 4.5A and comes in a compact 7mm x 7mm VQFPN48 package.
The STSPIN958 is equipped with a single full bridge, which can be adjusted to operate two unidirectional motors, a bidirectional brushed DC motor, or a higher-current unidirectional motor through parallelizing the outputs. This IC offers a range of seven distinct driving methods, including fixed off-time and programmable current control options, as well as dual half-bridge, single full-bridge, and half-bridge parallel connections. Enclosed within a compact 5mm x 5mm VFQFPN32 package, the STSPIN958 boasts a maximum current rating of 5.0A.
The STSPIN948 and STSPIN958 motor drivers are highly versatile and can be utilized in a multitude of industrial settings due to their wide operating voltage range and adaptability. These drivers are ideal for a range of applications, including factory automation systems, textile machines, industrial and home robots, stage lighting, ATM and money handling machines, antenna controllers, vending machines, and a variety of common home and industrial appliances.
Both drivers enable the designer to program the output transistor's slew rate to 0.3V/ns, 0.6V/ns, 1.2V/ns, or 2V/ns using an external resistor, ensuring optimal power consumption and electromagnetic compatibility targets. Dead time is built in to prevent shoot through, and the MOSFET's on-resistance of only 200m? helps to maximize operating efficiency. With a very short propagation delay of 280ns, the system commands are quickly and dynamically responded to.
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Each IC is designed with a complete set of protection features, such as overcurrent, overtemperature, and short-circuit protection, as well as low bus-voltage detection and under-voltage lockout (UVLO).
Evaluation boards that are both cost-effective and user-friendly are readily accessible to expedite the development process with these devices. The EVSPIN948 can control up to two motors with the STSPIN948, while the EVSPIN958 can drive a single motor with the STSPIN958. Each of these boards is intended for use as expansion cards and is compatible with most STM32 Nucleo boards and the Arduino UNO R3 connector.
Both devices are in production now, available from $1.42 for the STSPIN958 and $2.35 for the STSPIN948, for orders of 1000 pieces.
For more information visit: www.st.com/stspin
